I've had it a couple of days now, but I couldn't be bothered writing about it till now. The weather looks like it is about to close in, so instead of riding it, I'll relive it by writing it.
I could write about the bike like this:
MNBJLSBDJKLN!!! !!jk GRRAWWWWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!! RRRRRRRR GWWWWWRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR WRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!
But, that wouldn't make sense to anyone but myself. In my secret language.
First off, the DR-Z400SM is a funny beast. The regular DR-Z400 is water cooled trail bike. The DR-Z400SM is kinda the same bike, and kinda different. The differences from the regular DR-Z400 are, as far as I know, as follows:
So yeah, that's it. I've ridden a regular DR-Z, and the SM has better manners on the road. Not that the regular DR-Z was a pig, far from it, it's heaps of fun. It just kinda wobbled a little after every turn. Mr crasherfromwayback suggested that was probably the knobblies it had walking sideways on the pavement.
- Nice black 17" black rims, front and rear
- Bigger brakes
- A smaller CV carb, instead of a 39mm flatslide on the enduro model
- USD front forks, 'inspired' by the the RMZ 'crosser's suspension
- A different swingarm, also 'inspired' by the RMZ
- Sportsbike like bar ends.
So, what is it like in human speak?
Well, in straight lines, it's nothing special. Sure the engine has plenty of urge and just loves to be spanked; but a 400cc single being fed through a strangled carb and fully baffled un-offensive exhaust system is always going to feel flat after a GSXR750. The gearing is such that it is happy to go at a comfortable if slightly illegal speed in top without revving the engine too hard. The engine delivers it's power in rather flat kind way, once it is spinning it just keeps picking up the pace smoothly until shortly before the rev limiter, then that's it. Working the other way, there is smooth engine braking that I have tried in vain to make abrupt by shifting down when I shouldn't, but nahhh, it's pretty controlled. The gear ratios have bigger throws than I am used to, but shifting up when it starts running out of puff plonks you right into the power again, so Suzuki have chosen as best they can with what power they had. On this thing, you have little choice of gear for a situation. I mentioned the power was smooth, well the engine as a whole is smooth too. Even if you are lazy with your left foot and lug the engine, you can tell it is protesting, but the whole bike doesn't shudder in sympathy. Bikes with more cylinders could learn from this engine. The pegs and bars don't buzz or vibrate, it's really quite amazing. Perhaps it is those bar ends at work.
The front brake is good, not grabby, but not weak, lifting the back wheel is no problem. Any rear wheel lift is also a function of dive from the front, if you follow what I mean. I found the regular DR-Z's front brake a little lacking, but it was enough. I have to admit, I have only touched the back brake to see if it is there, so I can't pass an opinion on it. I'm going to try and re-learn how to use the rear brake.
Though the seat is a plank, I rode all the way from Wanganui to Wellington via Martinbourgh (
Yes, light, Suzuki allege 135kg.
The suspension is soft, the front likes to dive. But it's not bad, there is A LOT of suspension travel to use up. It didn't take much getting used to, and it feels good. The rear suspension is firmer, and the bike doesn't pitch back much under acceleration.
The stock Dunlop D208SM are great. I've spent more time riding in the wet on this bike than the dry, and I have never felt so confident in the wet. Nor probably have gone this fast.
So yeah, it's a bike I can live with. But the above doesn't actually sound like fun really does it? It sounds all very sensible. And yes, the bike is sensible.
What isn't sensible is how I have found myself riding it.
Like a SPAZ. A TOTAL MORAN. THE SORT OF MOTORCYCLIST YOU LOVE TO HATE WHEN YOU ARE IN YOUR CAGE. A FUCKWIT.
That soft suspension? Lets me ride over round-a-bouts. Though I am going to try and work out how to do it on the back wheel soon enough.
Light weight? Super flickable. Riding between cars, on the footpath, potholes, dodging small landslides in Wadestown, changing directions on the Rimutaka's, oh fuck yeah this is good. The GSXR750 Suzuki allege to weigh 163kg. The DR-Z alleges to weigh 135kg. Fill both bikes with fluids, and a 30kg difference would not be out of the question. Think of that in terms of bags of concrete, that's nearly a bag and a half. Corners corners corners. This could be sports bike crushing machinery on a tight winding road. Like the 'hill.
That high seat? That lets you put a foot out around corners. Which is heaps on fun. And quite cool in pea gravel road works because you can accelerate around a corner and instead of your motorbike falling over, your new Suzuki motorised tripod stays upright. More investigation is required into this interesting ability that is all new to me. I'm also going to need some new shoes soon. Luckily the rain has keep my shoes from disintegrating.
Weak engine? Full throttle nearing the rev limiter isn't something I get to hit a couple of times on a ride, I get it hit it a couple of times a minute. Sweet.
I don't feel the need to keep a leash on myself on this, I can ride it as hard as I can as much as I can. And not even crack 100km/h.
Last night going to the Shaun Harris benefit movie showing I went to Tawa via suburbia. And I had heaps of fun punting it around Wellington's winding streets. On the GSXR I would have taken the motorway because riding it on those wet, bumpy, dog walking, traffic infested, infant hiding roads would have been a chore, not a joy.
Now I want a 26cc kit like the one in the SM at Wellington Motorcycles, the carb off the regular DR-Z and a Yoshimura system.
No pictures, no camera. Enjoy Suzuki Australia's pictures instead.
MMMMMMmmmmm..
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Originally Posted by limbimtimwim
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